The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some in GOP call for an end to Georgia’s open primaries
Some Republicans say it’s time to close Georgia’s primaries, meaning only registered party members could choose who would gain its nominations.
The call comes after about 67,000 voters participated in May’s Republican primary after casting ballots in the 2020 Democratic primary.
“We’re trying to make the primary pure,” incoming state Sen. Colton Moore, a Republican from Trenton in northwest Georgia, said during a news conference. “Even if it’s just a small percentage (of crossover voters), let’s say 2% or 3%, in a race, that’s enough to sway the outcome to where a party isn’t getting its nominee. Instead, it’s getting a nominee that was chosen by another party.”
In the GOP primary, crossover voters accounted for about 6% of all ballots cast.
It’s unclear whether that was enough to make a difference in the outcome of any races because many of those voters don’t have a well-established partisan voting record. About 1 in 3 of this year’s primary voters — who set a midterm record for turnout with more than 1.9 million ballots cast — didn’t participate in the primary two years ago, according to an analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
If crossover voters helped anyone, it may have been Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He avoided a runoff when he topped the 50% threshold needed to elude a second round by about 55,000 votes in his victory over U.S. Rep. Jody Hice.
Other contests weren’t as close: For example, Gov. Brian Kemp, in his bid for reelection, received 74% of the vote against four challengers, including former U.S. Sen. David Perdue.
Georgia is one of 15 states with open primaries, which allow voters to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot without having to register with a political party, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The rules differ in other states, such as Florida, where closed primaries deter crossover voting by requiring voters to first register as a party member.
Closing Georgia’s primaries would require the General Assembly’s approval, which means state House Speaker David Ralston could help determine its fate. Right now, he doesn’t seem to be on board.
“There’s no need to change the current primary system,” said Kaleb McMichen, a spokesman for Ralston.